Schneider Kreuznach
Schneider Kreuznach is a German manufacturer of photographic, cinematographic, industrial and optical systems.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Schneider Kreuznach, commonly known simply as Schneider, is the trading name associated with Joseph Schneider Optische Werke GmbH, a German optical manufacturer based in Bad Kreuznach. The company was established on 28 December 1912 by Josef Schneider and Hermann Bauer as Optische Anstalt Jos. Schneider & Co. Its early business focused on precision optical products, and it later became closely associated with camera lenses, enlarger lenses, large-format optics and optical accessories. The company’s historical importance comes from the breadth and longevity of its lens catalogue. Schneider supplied optics for view cameras, enlargers, rangefinder cameras, single-lens reflex systems, motion-picture equipment and specialized photographic applications. Its lenses appeared on cameras made by other manufacturers, including Kodak, Rolleiflex, Retina, Retinette, Hasselblad and various European camera makers. The company also produced small- and medium-format lenses, although its reputation is particularly strong in large-format and technical-camera optics. Well-known optical families include Angulon, Super-Angulon, Curtagon, Tele-Xenar, Xenar, Xenon and Variogon. Schneider’s development was not limited to conventional photographic lenses. In 1961 it created Feinwerktechnik GmbH, a business associated with electrical-hydraulic servo valves, illustrating the company’s wider precision-engineering capabilities. It also participated in original-equipment manufacturing for consumer-electronics and camera companies. Its optics were used in selected Kodak and Samsung digital cameras, various LG devices and the BlackBerry Priv. The company expanded through acquisitions during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000. These included B+W Filter Manufacturing Company, known for B+W photographic filters; Rollei Fototechnic GmbH; Käsemann/Oberaudorf, a producer of polarizing materials; the former East German camera and lens manufacturer Pentacon/Praktica; and the American lens company Century Optics. These transactions broadened Schneider’s capabilities across filters, photographic equipment, camera systems and specialized video optics. Schneider also has a presence in the motion-picture field. Its Super-Cinelux lenses received an Academy Award for Technical Achievement in 2001. The award reflected the technical contribution of the company’s cinema-lens engineering rather than a consumer product campaign. In the modern market, Schneider’s activities are best understood as a combination of photographic heritage, cinema optics, industrial imaging and precision optical engineering. The brand remains associated with high-quality, technically specialized optics rather than mass-market camera products.
History
Schneider Kreuznach began in Bad Kreuznach on 28 December 1912, when Josef Schneider and Hermann Bauer founded Optische Anstalt Jos. Schneider & Co. The enterprise developed as a precision-optics manufacturer at a time when Germany was becoming a major center for photographic and scientific instrument production. In 1922 its name changed to Jos. Schneider & Co., Optische Werke, Kreuznach. The company eventually became known as Schneider Kreuznach, while the legal company name was changed to Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH in 1998. During the twentieth century, Schneider built a broad portfolio of photographic optics. Its lenses were used in large-format cameras, enlargers, rangefinders, medium-format systems and 35 mm cameras. The company’s catalogue included wide-angle, normal, telephoto, zoom and perspective-control designs. The Xenar family used a Tessar-type optical concept, while Xenon lenses followed an asymmetrical double-Gauss-derived design. Super-Angulon became associated with wide-angle technical-camera work, Curtagon with compact and wide-angle lenses, Tele-Xenar with telephoto applications, and Variogon with interchangeable-mount zoom lenses. Schneider’s role in the camera industry also included supplying lenses for other manufacturers’ products. Historical examples include the Kodak Regent in the 1930s, selected Rolleiflex models from the 1940s, Kodak Retina and Retinette cameras in the 1950s and 1960s, and specialty optics for Hasselblad. The company also made lenses for a range of European camera systems, including Praktica, Exakta, Alpa, Robot, Braun, Edixa and Leica-compatible applications. This OEM and system-oriented work helped make Schneider lenses visible well beyond products sold under the Schneider name. The company diversified into precision engineering in 1961 by creating Feinwerktechnik GmbH, a manufacturer associated with electrical-hydraulic servo valves. It later expanded through acquisitions. In 1985 Schneider acquired B+W Filter Manufacturing Company, founded in 1947 by Biermann and Weber and known for B+W photographic filters. In July 1987 it purchased Rollei Fototechnic GmbH. In 1989 it acquired Käsemann/Oberaudorf, a specialist in glass and plastic polarizing materials. After 1991 it acquired the former East German Pentacon/Praktica camera and lens operation, and in 2000 it acquired Century Optics in the United States. Schneider also developed cinema and industrial capabilities. Its Super-Cinelux motion-picture lenses received an Academy Award for Technical Achievement in 2001. In the digital era, the company participated in OEM lens production for devices and cameras associated with Kodak, Samsung, LG and the BlackBerry Priv. These activities show a shift from a primarily photographic-lens identity toward a wider optical-engineering role. The company’s present identity is therefore rooted in both heritage and specialization. It remains recognized for large-format lenses, enlarger optics, photographic loupes, filters, cinema lenses and industrial optical products. Rather than competing primarily as a mass-market camera brand, Schneider Kreuznach occupies a specialist position in imaging and precision optics, serving professional, industrial and technically demanding applications.
- 2001
Academy Award recognition
[1]Super-Cinelux motion-picture lenses received an Academy Award for Technical Achievement.
- 2000
Century Optics acquired
[1]Schneider acquired the American lensmaking firm Century Optics.
- 1998
Legal name adopted
[1]The company changed its legal name to Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH.
- 1991
Pentacon/Praktica operation acquired
[1]After German reunification, Schneider acquired the former East German Pentacon/Praktica camera and lens manufacturer.
- 1989
Käsemann/Oberaudorf acquired
[1]Schneider acquired a producer of glass and plastic polarizing materials.
- 1987
Rollei Fototechnic acquired
[1]In July 1987 Schneider purchased Rollei Fototechnic GmbH.
- 1985
B+W acquired
[1]Schneider acquired B+W Filter Manufacturing Company, expanding into photographic filters.
- 1964
Variogon introduced
[1]Schneider introduced the Variogon, described as an early variable-focal-length lens with a fixed back focal distance for 35 mm cameras.
- 1961
Feinwerktechnik established
[1]Schneider created Feinwerktechnik GmbH, a manufacturer associated with electrical-hydraulic servo valves.
- 1930
Kodak Regent lens supply
[1]Schneider supplied optics for the Kodak Regent camera during the 1930s.
Products and positioning
A German precision-optics brand positioned around optical engineering, technical imaging performance, durability and specialist applications across photography, cinematography and industrial imaging.
Photographic optics
Large-format lenses
Schneider has long been associated with lenses for view cameras and technical photography. Its large-format catalogue includes wide-angle, normal, telephoto and perspective-control designs intended for movements, architectural work, landscape photography and studio applications. Super-Angulon is one of the best-known families in this area.
Photographic optics
Enlarger lenses
The company produced enlarger optics for darkroom printing. These lenses were designed to project photographic negatives onto printing materials with high resolution and controlled illumination, making them important products during the film-photography era.
Photographic accessories · 1985
B+W filters
B+W is Schneider’s filter brand following the 1985 acquisition of B+W Filter Manufacturing Company. The range is associated with photographic glass and specialty filters, including polarizing and protective applications.
Cinematography optics
Cinema lenses
Schneider’s cinema activities include Super-Cinelux motion-picture lenses. These products formed part of the company’s professional imaging business and were recognized with an Academy Award for Technical Achievement in 2001.
Zoom lenses · 1964
Variogon
Variogon is a Schneider family of variable-focal-length lenses. The 1964 introduction was described as an early fixed-back-focus zoom design for 35 mm cameras, with versions including 45–100 mm and 80–240 mm lenses and interchangeable mounts.
Camera lenses
Xenar and Xenon
Xenar and Xenon are two important Schneider lens families. Xenar designs used a Tessar-type four-element optical concept, while Xenon lenses were based on an asymmetrical derivative of the double-Gauss design. Both families appeared across multiple camera formats and mounts.
Brand decisions
2001
Super-Cinelux technical achievement recognitionOtherBackground
Schneider’s cinema-optics engineering was recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Action taken
The company received an Academy Award for Technical Achievement for its Super-Cinelux motion-picture lenses.
Aftermath
The award reinforced Schneider’s reputation in professional cinematography optics.
2000
Acquisition of Century OpticsM&ABackground
Schneider pursued broader international and specialist lens capabilities.
Action taken
It acquired the American lensmaking company Century Optics.
Aftermath
The deal expanded Schneider’s presence in specialist video and imaging optics.
1987
Purchase of Rollei Fototechnic GmbHM&ABackground
Schneider expanded its position in the German photographic-equipment industry.
Action taken
It purchased Rollei Fototechnic GmbH in July 1987.
Aftermath
The acquisition connected Schneider with the Rollei photographic business and its camera systems.
1985
Acquisition of B+W Filter Manufacturing CompanyM&ABackground
Schneider sought to broaden its photographic-optics activities beyond lenses into filters and related accessories.
Action taken
It acquired B+W Filter Manufacturing Company, a filter maker founded in 1947.
Aftermath
The transaction added the B+W filter line to Schneider’s portfolio.
Recent events
- 2001
Schneider Kreuznach receives an Academy Award for Technical Achievement for Super-Cinelux lenses[1]
Other
The company was recognized for the technical contribution of its Super-Cinelux motion-picture lenses.
- 2000
Schneider Kreuznach acquires Century Optics[1]
M&A
The German optical manufacturer acquired the American lens company Century Optics, expanding its specialist video and lens activities.
- 1991
Schneider Kreuznach acquires Pentacon/Praktica assets[1]
M&A
After German reunification, Schneider acquired the former East German camera and lens manufacturer Pentacon/Praktica.
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